1. Cisco Home: Sustainable living is the focus of this environmentally friendly home furnishings store where clean, simple and timeless pieces are made with natural or recycled materials (think Forest Stewardship Council certified wood and handmade linen bedding). 580 Hayes St. (415) 436-0131. www.ciscohome.net.

2. Zonal: Enter through an old-fashioned, bright red screen door into the second-oldest store on Hayes Street by only three months. Zonal is home to authentic primitive American furniture that evokes a classic American past full of character. The store also showcases local artists’ work, from paintings to one-of-a-kind handmade items. 568 Hayes St. (415) 255-9307. www.zonalhome.com.

2. Zonal: Enter through an old-fashioned, bright red screen door into the second-oldest store on Hayes Street by only three months. Zonal is home to authentic primitive American furniture that evokes a classic

3. Birch: Torryne Choate takes flowers to the next level. Vases filled with beautiful, unusual floral arrangements — such as hot-pink anemones, perfect for summer — stand out against the trendy black-on-black interior of the store. Magazines, from Paris Vogue to Elle Decor Italia, are also on display and for sale, as well as various gifts and books. 564 Hayes St. (415) 626-6860. www.birchsf.com.

Propeller, at 555 Hayes St offers a verity of chandeliers and furniture. San FranciscoÕs Hayes Street between 327 and 580 is fast becoming a destination for shoppers looking for custom and collectible furniture and home accessories in San Francisco Calif., Wednesday, July 11, 2012. less

Propeller, at 555 Hayes St offers a verity of chandeliers and furniture. San FranciscoÕs Hayes Street between 327 and 580 is fast becoming a destination for shoppers looking for custom and collectible ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

Image 7 of 14

Room Service, at 549 Hayes St. offers a verity of home furnishings including a white lacquer table and chairs in shape of a kneeling body. San FranciscoÕs Hayes Street between 327 and 580 is fast becoming a destination for shoppers looking for custom and collectible furniture and home accessories in San Francisco Calif., Wednesday, July 11, 2012. less

Room Service, at 549 Hayes St. offers a verity of home furnishings including a white lacquer table and chairs in shape of a kneeling body. San FranciscoÕs Hayes Street between 327 and 580 is fast becoming a ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

Image 8 of 14

6. Hayes Valley Proxy Project: Take a break and refuel at this temporary two-block build-out, which features food and drink from a rotating selection of San Francisco’s best vendors, along with public art installations. Check its Twitter feed for up-to-date information: twitter.com/#!/PROXYSF. 432 Octavia St. proxysf.net.

6. Hayes Valley Proxy Project: Take a break and refuel at this temporary two-block build-out, which features food and drink from a rotating selection of San Francisco’s best vendors, along with public art

7. Minimal: For beautifully designed pieces that also serve a practical purpose, head to Minimal. Owned by Swedish native Kristina Runske, the store combines the Nordic aesthetic of simple, smart, practical design with a bit of San Francisco whimsy. 364 Hayes St. (415) 400-5572. www.minimal.com.

7. Minimal: For beautifully designed pieces that also serve a practical purpose, head to Minimal. Owned by Swedish native Kristina Runske, the store combines the Nordic aesthetic of simple, smart, practical

8. Nancy Boy: For body care products, home cleaning products, home fragrances and mid-century Danish modern vintage furniture, Nancy Boy is a go-to on Hayes. Check out its most popular personal care products (shave cream, $18, and body bars, $8), plus a collection of restored furniture from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. 347 Hayes St. (415) 552-3636. www.nancyboy.com.

8. Nancy Boy: For body care products, home cleaning products, home fragrances and mid-century Danish modern vintage furniture, Nancy Boy is a go-to on Hayes. Check out its most popular personal care products

9. Plantation: Plantation’s transitional style is a combination of classic and modern. All of the furniture in the store is the company’s, accessorized with distinctive decor pieces from around the world. Clients can customize any piece. 336 Hayes St. (415) 565-0888. www.plantationdesign.com.

9. Plantation: Plantation’s transitional style is a combination of classic and modern. All of the furniture in the store is the company’s, accessorized with distinctive decor pieces from around the world.

10. Lotus Bleu: This storefront for owner Jeannie Fraise’s interior design studio next door specializes in lighting, accessories and textiles in bright colors and whimsical patterns. True to its name, the

Decades ago, Hayes Valley was known as one of the seedier neighborhoods in San Francisco, plagued by prostitution, crime and urban decay.

It wasn't until the Central Freeway, which was built in the neighborhood in the 1950s, was damaged in the 1989 earthquake that the area began to give way to the chic shopping and dining haven that it is today.

In 2005, the freeway was rebuilt to end at Market. A beautiful tree-lined park with seating, play structures and rotating public art exhibits took over its former space between Fell and Hayes streets.

Today, the stretch of Hayes Street between Franklin and Laguna boasts some of the city's best restaurants, boutiques, and home and design stores. The street is dominated by high-end retail, but a Hayes Valley ban on chain stores maintains a fierce dedication to small, independent businesses.

Most of the parking is metered. The neighborhood is accessible by Muni (No. 21-Hayes, No. 47-Van Ness or No. 49-Van Ness-Mission lines) or BART (Civic Center Station).

1. Cisco Home: Sustainable living is the focus of this environmentally friendly home furnishings store where clean, simple and timeless pieces are made with natural or recycled materials (think Forest Stewardship Council certified wood and handmade linen bedding). 580 Hayes St. (415) 436-0131. www.ciscohome.net.

2. Zonal: Enter through an old-fashioned, bright red screen door into the second-oldest store on Hayes Street by only three months. Zonal is home to authentic primitive American furniture that evokes a classic American past full of character. The store also showcases local artists' work, from paintings to one-of-a-kind handmade items. 568 Hayes St. (415) 255-9307. www.zonalhome.com.

3. Birch: Torryne Choate takes flowers to the next level. Vases filled with beautiful, unusual floral arrangements - such as hot-pink anemones, perfect for summer - stand out against the trendy black-on-black interior of the store. Magazines, from Paris Vogue to Elle Decor Italia, are also on display and for sale, as well as various gifts and books. 564 Hayes St. (415) 626-6860. www.birchsf.com.

4. Propeller: Named after a functional and beautiful object as well as the concept of propelling design forward, this store is all about modern North American design. From a golden chandelier in the shape of antlers to an armchair beanbag, the selection is elegant and eclectic. The store also represents local artists with an art show every two to three months. 555 Hayes St. (415) 501-9182. www.propellermodern.com.

5. Room Service: Room Service brings the Hollywood Regency style of the 1930s to 21st century San Francisco. Brightly colored retro pieces, egg chairs, oversize armchairs and more fill this three-level store. All the furniture is manufactured at Room Service's own factory in Los Angeles, so everything is fully customizable. 549 Hayes St. (415) 829-8022. www.roomservicestore.com.

7. Minimal: For beautifully designed pieces that also serve a practical purpose, head to Minimal. Owned by Swedish native Kristina Runske, the store combines the Nordic aesthetic of simple, smart, practical design with a bit of San Francisco whimsy. 364 Hayes St. (415) 400-5572. www.minimal.com.

8. Nancy Boy: For body care products, home cleaning products, home fragrances and midcentury Danish modern vintage furniture, Nancy Boy is a go-to on Hayes. Check out its most popular personal care products (shave cream, $18, and body bars, $8), plus a collection of restored furniture from the 1950s, '60s and '70s. 347 Hayes St. (415) 552-3636. www.nancyboy.com.

9. Plantation: Plantation's transitional style is a combination of classic and modern. All of the furniture in the store is the company's, accessorized with distinctive decor pieces from around the world. Clients can customize any piece. 336 Hayes St. (415) 565-0888. www.plantationdesign.com.

10. Lotus Bleu: This storefront for owner Jeannie Fraise's interior design studio next door specializes in lighting, accessories and textiles in bright colors and whimsical patterns. True to its name, the store showcases both Asian and French influences. 327 Hayes St. (415) 861-2700. www.lotusbleudesign.com.

6. Hayes Valley Proxy Project: Take a break and refuel at this temporary two-block build-out, which features food and drink from a rotating selection of San Francisco's best vendors, along with public art installations. Check its Twitter feed for up-to-date information: twitter.com/#!/PROXYSF. 432 Octavia St. proxysf.net.